Valiant

Overview

Inspired by the true-life story of carrier pigeons who were trained to carry vital information for the Allied forces across the English Channel during World War II, this computer-animated adventure comedy focuses on Valiant (voice of Ewan McGregor), a wood pigeon who has volunteered to do his part for England during the war. While Valiant believes in the cause, he's not exactly a quick study in his training under a no-nonsense sergeant (voice of Jim Broadbent), and his new pal Bugsy (voice of Ricky Gervais), a vermin-carrying former denizen of Trafalgar Square, fares even worse in the courage department. However, when one of the key British birds, Mercury (voice of John Cleese), is captured by notorious Nazi falcon Von Talon (voice of Tim Curry), Valiant and his crew must spring into action to keep the lines of communication open in time for D-day. Along the way, Valiant also finds time to romance avian nurse Victoria (voice of Olivia Williams) and French resistance agent Charles De Girl (voice of Sharon Horgan). Produced at the British Ealing Studios, Valiant also features the voice talents of John Hurt, Rik Mayall, and Hugh Laurie.

Product Details

Release Date:	12/13/2005
UPC:	0786936293173
Original Release:	2005
Rating:	G
Source:	Walt Disney Video
Region Code:	1
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround]
Language:	English
Time:	1:16:00

Special Features

Closed Caption;Hilarious bloopers; Valiant Training Challenge Game

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Ewan McGregor	Valiant
Ricky Gervais	Bugsy
Tim Curry	Von Talon
Jim Broadbent	Sergeant
Hugh Laurie	Gutsy
John Cleese	Mercury
John Hurt	Felix
Pip Torrens	Lofty
Rik Mayall	Cufflingk
Olivia Williams	Victoria
Jonathan Ross	Big Thug
Brian Lonsdale	Toughwood
Dan Roberts	Tailfeather,Actor
Michael Schlingmann	Underlingk
Sharon Horgan	Charles De Girl
Sean Samuels	Jacques
Buckley Collum	Rollo
Annette Badland	Elsa
Harriet Jones	Barmaid
Harry Peacock	Recruiting Officer
Corin Mellinger	Wing Pigeon
Gary Chapman	Pigeon Officer
Curtis Augspurger	Pigeon Guard
Mike Harbour	Little Thug
Mike Jenn	Messenger Pigeon,Messenger Pigeon
Heidi Fecht	Saucy Pigeon
Robert Lence	'Tweet' Pigeon
Ramzy Bedia	Voix de Vaillant
Eric Judor	Voix de Bugsy
Emmanuel Jacomy	Voix du Commandant courage
Christian Pellissier	Voix de Félix
Rupert Farley	Voices
Stephen Pacey	Voices
Alison Dowling	Voices
Daniel Flynn	Voices
Kris Milne	Voices
James Robinson	Voices
Emma Tate	Voices
George Fenton	Composer

Technical Credits

Jordan Katz

George Webster

George Melrod

Gary Chapman	Director
Jordan Katz	Screenwriter
George Webster	Screenwriter
George Melrod	Screenwriter
John H. Williams	Producer
Ralph Kamp	Executive Producer
Barnaby Thompson	Executive Producer
Curtis Augspurger	Producer
Eric M. Bennett	Producer,Sound Effects
Buckley Collum	Producer
Celestia Fox	Casting
Shuzo John Shiota	Producer
Neil Braun	Executive Producer
Robert Jones	Executive Producer
Keith Evans	Executive Producer
Phaze UK	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

As characters go, carrier pigeons may not be as easy a sell to children as Woody and Buzz, Shrek, or the Madagascar penguins. But while the World War II setting may soar above the target audience’s heads, Valiant does earn its wings as a rousing adventure in which “it’s not the size of your wing span (that’s important), it’s the size of your spirit.” Like Balto, this computer-animated British feature is based on real-life animal heroics. Thirty-two pigeons, we are informed, were honored with the prestigious Dickin Medal for their efforts in delivering top-secret messages from behind enemy lines. Though small in stature, Valiant is determined to leave his mother’s nest and enlist in the Royal Homing Pigeon Service. After a bit of bumbling basic training, his misfit outfit is engaged in a dangerous mission to rendezvous with the French Resistance (the mouse division led by Charles de Girl) and avoid being captured by the evil Gen. Von Talon, who tortures his prisoners by blasting yodeling music. The top-flight voice case includes Ricky Gervais (The Office), Tim Curry, and John Cleese. Something of an odd duck, Valiant did not really get off the ground during its theatrical run, but it will fly high on DVD, where children can cheer on this pigeon “with something extra.”